Union govt. Cooperative Secretary Gyanesh Kumar visited the headquarters of Gujarat State Cooperative Marketing Federation called GUJCOMASOL located in Gandhi Nagar on Sunday and apprised himself of the working of the co-op body.
Kumar was received by renowned co-operator and Chairman of Gujcomasol Dileep Sanghani , Vice-Chairman Bipin Patel and several departmental heads of Gujcomasol who had come to interact with the Secretary despite it being Sunday.
Gyanesh was visibly impressed by the working of the marketing co-operative federation and felt that state federations across India should follow its model. Speaking on this occasion, the Secretary lauded the efforts of Sanghani and said that as NCUI President also he has been very proactive in lending his support to the Ministry.
Later on, talking to the Indian Cooperative, GUJCOMASOL Chairman revealed that the Secretary had come at the behest of Union Minister Amit Shah who wanted him to see an ideal model of co-op marketing federation in GUJCOMASOL. It was Shah who had inaugurated Gujcomasol’s new headquarters and was impressed by its sprawling premises.
Impressed by the co-op body, Gyanesh Kumar said that he plans to hold a national seminar of all the state co-op marketing federations in Delhi sooner than later where the Gujcomasol model will be discussed at length. He asked the officers to get ready for the same.
Lauding the role of Sanghani on the occasion, Kumar informed the officers that the current database being prepared by the ministry is also largely possible due to efforts of NCUI in general and Sanghani in particular. “We asked him to support the project and he supported us every way including funds”, stated the Secretary.
Gujcomasol indeed made history when it offered the highest dividend to its shareholders which is unheard of in the co-op sector. “We offered 22% dividend after seeking special permission from the government”, said Sanghani explaining how he got the permission. ‘When we showed our profit and stressed on the need to share the gains with farmers, the government agreed in no time”, stated Sanghani.
Six years ago when Sanghani took over, the headquarters of Gujcomasol was confined to 400 sq yards. When farmers have land in bighas how can their office be so small, said Sanghani who mooted the idea of having a sprawling office. Today it is spread over four bighas. Though our physical structure may resemble Corporate culture our soul remains cooperative, said Sanghani philosophically on the phone.
Tweeting about Kumar’s visit Sanghani later wrote in Hindi, “We welcome the Union Govt Secretary to the headquarters of GUCOMASOL.” Sanghani, a perfect host, invited Kumar over for lunch at his home soon after the interaction with staff members was over.
